Courant Photography Department Blog

Michael McAndrews

For the past three weeks or so, I’ve been holed up trying to edit more than 20 years of photographs of the UConn women’s basketball team for a book on the 10 NCAA Championships they’ve won. A daunting task in many ways since we were limited to about 10-12 pages per chapter. Daunting, too, given the reality of how technology has changed from their first victory against Tennessee in 1995, when our photographers were still shooting film, to this year when Cloe Poisson and Michael McAndrews covered them during each round digitally shooting both stills and video to try to satisfy the enormous appetite of our readers online, in print and through social media.

My how times have changed.

Minneapolis, MN 4.2.1995 UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma has enjoyed the ride that led to his first national championship. His players hoist him perfectly on their shoulders and carry him off the court. Photo by Brad Clift / The Hartford Courant

To view more photos and history of the UConn women’s basketball team click the View More link:

Passages from the Hartford Courant’s book,“Dynasty: UConn Women’s Ten-Title Season”, were used in each chapter here were written by John Altavilla, Hartford Courant UConn women’s basketball beat reporter.

The defense by UConn and nonexistent shooting by SMU crushed the Mustangs. UConn led 47-9 at the halftime The Huskies then scored the first 27 points over 12:20 to take a 74-9 lead in the second half. Final score: 87-28.

Circophony, a youth circus troupe lead by ArtFarm director Dic Wheeler rehearse for “Circus on the High Seas,” a production done in collaboration with the Odd Fellows Playhouse. The cast trained and rehearsed for 3 months twice a week before their first performance in December. The circus goes on the road through June.

Performer Rowan Trowbridge-Wheeler makes his entrance to the spotlight during a dress rehearsal for “Circus on the High Seas,” a production done by kids under ARTFARM director Dic Wheeler.

For some New London’s water main break is an inconvenience. They have water. But for those living at the New London Housing Authority high rise on Colman Street they’ll make due until water is restored.

Several cases of bottled water are delivered to the New London Housing authority highrise on Colman Street by staff from the American Red Cross after residents lost water service Thursday. A water main break in New London’s Bates Woods Park nearby caused lowered water pressure for some and interrupted service for others.

Brenda Davis, of Plymouth, blows a kiss to staff after getting a tooth extracted. She and hundreds of others were in line early Friday seeking free dental care staffed by volunteer dentists and assistants in a makeshift clinic. The CT MOM Free Dental Clinic at the XL Center in Hartford offered a full range of dental services on a first come first served basis starting at 6 A.M. Friday. More than 700 walked through the doors four hours later. The clinic continues Saturday.

06.27.2008 – Unity, NH – Barack Obama worked the crowd and still had time to smile for the cameras following his appearance in Unity, N.H. Friday afternoon with Hillary Clinton. Photograph by Stephen Dunn | sdunn@courant.com

Photographers show up hours before POTUS is to arrive. We must pass security. That takes time. We get wanded by magnetometers and inspected by bomb sniffing dogs. We are ushered, guided, and ordered by secret service and handlers. And then we wait.

On some Connecticut visits Courant photographers are designated “pool photographers” granting them better access to the president on the condition that we share whatever we photograph with other media. We join the traveling press corps and ride in the official motorcade. The status grants us closer and more fluid movement around the president. Somewhat closer that our colleagues standing in the back of the room.

Presidents arrive in a flash of activity like a midsummer thunderstorm . The police, secret service, politicians and the traveling press arrive at once. Then POTUS arrives. And as quickly as he arrives, he leaves. The police, secret service and traveling press leave too.

My first experience photographing President Jimmy Carter was not a success.

I knew President Jimmy Carter liked to press the flesh. He would wander up to shake, squeeze, wave, touch and smile his way down along line of fans pressed against the barricades, eager to be close to the most powerful man in the country. I’ve seen it. I wanted to photograph that ritual up close when he came to Hartford December 10th, 1978.

I planted myself at the fence hours before he was to arrive. The crowds grew. So did the excitement. Soon people were standing 4 deep behind me.

We all waited together.

He got out of his limo surrounded by politicians and Secret service and raised his right hand in a wistful way to acknowledge the crowd. Then he was gone, ushered into the Hartford Hilton in one swift smooth motion. The idea for the picture didn’t work this time.

I got a picture of his arm and the back of his hand. That was my first attempt at photographing a visiting president.

19.16.1980 – Hartford, CT – President Jimmy Carter, from the roof of his limo, waves to fans outside the Old State House in Hartford. MICHAEL McANDREWS | The Hartford Courant

Two New York City buildings collapsed on Wednesday in an explosion believed to be caused by a gas leak, killing three people, injuring at least 36, and setting off a search for more victims feared trapped in the rubble. The explosion scattered debris across Metro North tracks stopping service on the commuter line that passes in front of the destroyed buildings.

New York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion, fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York, March 12, 2014. Two buildings collapsed in an explosion in Upper Manhattan on Wednesday, killing at least three, injuring at least 17 and setting off a search for anyone trapped in the debris, witnesses and officials said.

Manchester Mayor Leo V. Diana listens closely to devine what groundhog Chuckles VIII predicts while Rachel Hadyka, manager of educational services at the Lutz Children’s Museum and licensed wildlife rehabilitator wait in anticipation whether we will have 6 more weeks of winter. Chuckles VIII, a resident at the museum in Manchester, saw her shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Hundreds turned out early Sunday morning Groundhog Day to hear Chuckles’ weather advisory.

Connecticut State Police Trooper Trainees Alexander Cintron, Adam List and Gregory Sawicki sing the National Anthem at the start of the State Police 123rd Training Troop graduation at the University of Connecticut in Storrs Thursday. Eighty three graduated and will be patrolling the state.

9/16/2013 – Manchester, Ct – East Catholic running back Pablo Colon high steps over the goal line for another 4th quarter touchdown against Fermi. East Catholic high School plays Fermi High School at home. MICHAEL McANDREWS | mmcandrews@courant.com

Jill Terry tries to settle some apprehension by her daughter Leah Terry, 5, in the Waddell School playground before the children, escorted by parents, entered for the first day of kindergarten class Wednesday morning.

Basketball star Ray Allen offers high fives to students filing into the Wish School’s new computer lab funded by Allen’s foundation Ray of Hope. The students are from left, Jadalin DeJesus, 11, and twin sister Shania Coleman and Amya Coleman.

Visitors tour the Amos Bull House in Hartford where Connecticut Landmarks will have their offices and a community education center after renovations are completed in December. The Amos Bull House on Prospects Street in Hartford is one of four 18th century buildings in Hartford. Amos Bull, a dry goods merchant, used the 1st floor for his business and lived on the top two floors. The building was modified and moved twice. Over the years the building was a hardware store, auto dealership, and insurance offices.

Canoeists paddle to shore to take cover before a storm at Haddam Meadows State Park Tuesday morning. The 13 campers from Incarnation camp in Ivoryton were taking part in a three day canoe trip down the Connecticut River from Middletown to Essex when the storm interrupted their journey.

– 06.16.2013 Cromwell, CT – Phil Wojtusik, left, and Andrew Signore level and clean the Travelers umbrella moored in the center of a pond at River Highlands Tournament Players Club in Cromwell as they and a small army of workers prepare the golf course for the Travelers Championship that opens Monday. The two men work for Creative Dimensions, a company in Cheshire.

– 06.03.2013 – Nathan Mojica, 6, gets the bow to his violin before playing in a recital Monday at the Burns School on Hartford Monday. The recital is the culmination of a semester long after school music program called Citymusic sponsored by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at the school. Students played the drums, violin, trumpet, recorder and sang for parents and classmates of the program.

– 05.27.2013 – Courtney DeMaria and Will Cayer stay close to the sand where they say its not so bad as a stiff wind and cool temperatures kept many away from Hammonasset State Park beach on Memorial Day. DeMaria and Cayer are from New Haven.

05.25.2013 As daylight fades into night Dan Russell prepares his boat for a night of fishing. He will load 500 pounds of ice and that will keep his catch cold. It’s shad season. The fish are running up the Connecticut River to spawn.